New Plymouth, New Zealand

Taranaki’s largest city and main port is New Plymouth, to be found at just a 15 minute drive from Oakura Beach. It’s a bustling city with many great public artworks, galleries, shops and a population of about 49,000.

Real eye catchers are the Pukekura Park & Bowl of Brooklands gardens, the controversial 45 m high artwork called the wind wand designed by Len Lye, and stunning views of Mount Taranaki or Mount Egmont. It’s a coastal city with a mountain within one hour's drive away. Residents and visitors can snowboard, ski, water ski and surf all in the same day.

The town was officially established in 1841 but the area had been the historic home for several Maori iwi (tribes) for centuries. Early European whalers operated in the area for some time as well. Settlers came from not only Britain but also from Poland, Switzerland, The Netherlands, China and India.

Today, the city is a service centre for the region's principal economic activities, mainly dairy farming as well as oil, natural gas and petrochemical exploration and production. Visit the I-site on Ariki Street for a huge selection of activities and for answers to all the questions you might have about the region.

A number of images on this site, taken by Josh Woskett, are provided by Venture Taranaki. Many thanks.